Shrines, Drugs, and Mental Health in South Asian Culture: A Case Study of Rahman Baba Shrine, Peshawar Pakistan
Pakistan Journal of Applied Social Sciences March 8, 2022 Shakeel Ahmed, Imran Ahmad Sajid, Samia Shakeel 1 citation
At the Rehman Baba shrine in Pakistan, some monks (Malang) use marijuana to induce mystical experiences, a practice that has become socially acceptable there. Through non-participant observation, exploratory interviews, and focus group discussions, the study found that marijuana is regarded as a holy drug at the shrine. Users see it as fostering love for humanity, relaxation from social stresses, harmony among users, and an escape from social challenges. The findings are explained using Merton's 'individual's modes of adaptation'.